Scientists Found a Link Between Occupational Exposures and Increased COPD Risk

(Newswire.net — August 16, 2022) Orlando, FL — Lung conditions like COPD continues to affect more and more people. It is important to keep in mind that there are many factors found to contribute to its onset.

A study was carried out by an international team led by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation.

In this research, it has been found that 21 percent of COPD cases involving over 3,300 subjects were linked to these occupational exposures.

The findings of this research were published in Thorax.

It was carried out within the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), a longitudinal multicentre study.

This research presented new evidence on the role of occupational exposure as an important risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  

The investigators found a link between exposure to biological dust, gases, fumes, and pesticides and a higher incidence of COPD. 

Researchers selected a total of 3,343 participants from 24 centers in 12 countries between 1991 and 1993. The subjects were also followed-up 20 years later. After recruitment and at follow-up, they also performed spirometric lung function. 

The study findings have shown that those exposed to biological dust had a higher risk of COPD by 60 percent compared with those unexposed. Participants exposed to fumes and gases also had a 50 percent increased COPD risk. 

In the case of individuals exposed to pesticides, the risk was 120 percent higher. Overall, the findings have shown that 21 percent of the total 96 cases of COPD detected at follow-up were linked with these occupational exposures.

According to Jan-Paul Zock, ISGlobal researcher and lead author of the study, previous studies had estimated that about 15 percent of COPD cases are attributable to workplace exposures. Our results strengthen this evidence base substantially. 

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an effect of biological dust exposure on the incidence of COPD in a prospective fashion in a general population cohort,” he adds.

Scientists continue to carry out some studies to investigate the ways to boost and protect lung health. It is worth noting that some plant-based remedies are found helpful in fighting COPD and enhancing the overall health of the lungs. 

These include the use of a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant called curcumin, which is linked with a myriad of health benefits.

Various studies suggest curcumin has genoprotective, antifungal, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antiproliferative, antiviral, renoprotective, insulin-sensitizing, androgenic, antifibrotic, neurorestorative, and metal-chelating properties.

It also contains an anticoagulant, antiseptic, anti-platelet, antioxidant, anti-amyloidogenic, anti-cytotoxic, antibiotic, antimicrobial, anti-purulent, immunomodulating, and anticatabolic agents.

To benefit from the use of this remedy, it is wise to take into account the use of formulas like Divine Bounty Curcumin (https://amazon.com/Turmeric-Curcumin-BioPerine-Pepper-Extract/dp/B00VSVKJ8I).